Stocklin



(No Model.)

I. STEVENS.

FRUIT LADDER.

Patented Sept. 11,1883) w WW w m J M n. PETERS PhMo-Lilh gnpher, wmin mInc NITED STATES PATENT OFF-10E.

IEA STEVENS, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR oE ONE-HALF TO JOHN B: STOOKLIN, OF SAME PLACE.

FRUIT-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,920, dated September 11, 1883.

' Application filed July 3, 1883. (No model.)

for orchards and other agricultural purposes;v

and it consists in the adjustable prop A, hoop H, in connection with'rack K and steps 0, in the method of construction shown, to render the ladder reliable and safe as against accidents arising from its use, and in the combination and arrangement of the parts, substantially as hereinafter more fully shown and de scribed. 1

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation. 4, and 5 are detail views.

In carrying out my invention I construct the ladder gradually enlarged from top to bottom, the lower part of the ladder being much wider than its upper part, to render it less liable to tilt, and as a means of still further securing it against tilting to the right or left the standards of the ladder respectively may, near the bottom thereof, be supplied on either side with a sharp-pointed bolt, to be forced into the ground or floor when necessary. The plane of each step is formed as shown in Fig. 3, a portion thereof being projected between the standards, and each step is fully secured Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, and Figs. 3,

from breaking by a low riser, R, secured under the forward edge thereof, (see Fig. 1,) which supports it, and which is let into slightcorresponding indentations formed in, the standards. (See Fig. 3.)

The prop A is hinged to the platform of the ladder, and has. rigidly secured thereto the rack K and the sharp-pointed bolt A, the rack being designed, in connection with the loosely pivoted hoop-clutch H, for holding the ladder-prop, when 'in use, at any angle, as shown in Fig. 1., and the bolt being designed for lengthening the prop, in order to adjust the platform of the prop near to the wall or obj ect to be reached, while also securing the prop and ladder steadfastly in position. The ends of the hoop-clutch H are bent at right angles and projected through the step-standards S, and then nutted to secure them in position.

What I claim is 1. A step-ladder having its step portion tapering from top to bottom, and its steps secured from breaking by risers R under the forward edge thereof, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of the rack K, hoop H, and step portion of the ladder O, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IRA STEVENS. 

